Fruit Focus is building on its reputation as the must-attend technical and business event for the UK fruit sector with the launch of a major new conference and the announcement of a new principal sponsor.
Fruit Focus 2011, which will be held at East Malling Research, Kent on 20th July, will bring together more than 1,200 growers and industry professionals and 120 suppliers showcasing all aspects of technology, agronomy, machinery and business information.
In addition, the industry’s premier fruit event will be preceded by a key conference, Automation: The labour force of the future. Organised by Haymarket Business Exhibitions and supported by East Malling Research and the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers, it will be held at the same venue on 19th July.
It will examine solutions to reduce labour costs in northern European fruit production and draws on worldwide research and applications from non-related sectors, says event director Jon Day.
“Labour is one of the major costs associated with fruit production. As it becomes increasingly expensive and skilled workers are more difficult to obtain, growers are looking for innovative ways to solve this problem.
“Our excellent line-up of international and UK speakers will reveal new ways to fully or semi-automate areas of fruit production, thereby increasing productivity, reducing costs and driving efficiency to help feed a growing world population while ensuring the continued profitability of the fruit industry. The conference will be followed by a dinner at nearby Bradbourne House, providing extensive networking opportunities ahead of the industry’s leading technical event, Fruit Focus,”
Mr Day adds.
Fruit Focus continues to build on its reputation as the place for growers to seek out the latest varietal, technical and marketing developments and services to help them secure better profits.
Its future looks even brighter following a three-year agreement with Mack, the specialist fruit supplier to multiple retailers, to become principal sponsor. Mack’s executive chairman, Chris Mack, said the move reinforced the company’s renewed focus on UK fruit. “We’re pledging to increase our work with growers and retailers in this area, so the opportunity to be a core part of Fruit Focus – an event at the forefront of UK fruit production – was an opportunity we knew we wanted to embrace.
“As a specialist at marketing fruit into the multiple retailers, Mack has always taken pride in its UK offer. We’re looking to open conversations to help extend this work with new relationships forged at Fruit Focus.”
Other marketing companies including Berry Gardens and Norman Collett will also be represented at the show.
Key areas of Fruit Focus 2011 include:
• Fruit research trials – new varieties, novel agronomy and efficient water use
• Demonstration Arena and Working Demonstrations – machinery and equipment being put through its paces
• Fruit Forums – sponsored by NFU and Syngenta Bioline.
An opportunity for debate and discussion on key industry issues; speakers include politicians, industry figures and leading growers
• Vines to Wines – the only grower-focused business-to-business event for still and sparkling wine production in the UK
• Vines to Wines seminars – a full seminar programme featuring a practical workshop/question time.
Tickets for Fruit Focus (£10 inc VAT), the conference including Fruit Focus (£225 + VAT) and the conference dinner (£95 + VAT) are available at www.fruitfocus.co.uk/ticketing
For more information on Fruit Focus 2011 go to www.fruitfocus.co.uk
